The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of AssisiChalippe, Candide
Religion
The Life and Legends of Saint Francis of Assisi
Chalippe, Candide
Francis, of Assisi, Saint, 1182-1226; Miracles -- Early works to 1800
This is the pious triumph of all the Sons of St. Francis who, in
gratitude for so singular a privilege, honor the Blessed Virgin as the
Patroness and Protectress of their Order, under the title of her
Immaculate Conception, and by celebrating the festival thereof with
every possible solemnity.
The second statute directed, that express mention should be made of
the names of St. Peter and St. Paul, in the prayer, "Protege nos Domine,
etc.," and in another which begins with these words--"Exaudi nos Deus,"
etc., in memory of what had been revealed to St. Francis, that these
apostles interceded powerfully with God for his Institute. This is
practised by the whole Church since Innocent IV revised and reformed
the Roman Breviary, through Aymon, an Englishman, who was the fifth
general of the Order of Friars Minor.
In the third statute it was said that poverty should be apparent in
everything, in the convents which they should build; that the churches
should be small and low, and that the walls of the rest of the buildings
should be of wood or mud. Some difficulties were started to this; many
represented that in their provinces wood was dearer than stone, and
that walls of masonry, if they were not too high, would better denote
poverty, because they would be solid and not compel frequent repair.
The holy Founder would not argue this matter with them; for it is
remarked that not to give rise to any dispute, and not to give scandal
to the weak, he often condescended to the opinions of others in similar
matters. Nevertheless he recommended to them all, not to receive either
churches or houses which were not in conformity to holy poverty which
was their rule.
It was not possible always to follow out his intentions. The prelates
and princes who were greatly attached to his Order had beautiful
convents built, which his religious could not avoid receiving; and St.
Bonaventure even says that a numerous community which has different
exercises to perform, requires large houses, although care should be
taken that holy poverty should be apparent throughout, and that
superfluity should not preponderate over what is reasonably necessary.
The chapter being ended, Francis, following the example of the Apostles,
divided the world among his brethren, in order to bring it all in
subjection to the Empire of Jesus Christ.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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